Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes, 33661-33663 [E6-9061]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 112 / Monday, June 12, 2006 / Proposed Rules
(2) For any inspection done after the
effective date of this AD: Within 30 days after
the inspection.
Parts Installation
(l) As of the effective date of this AD, no
person may install, on any airplane, any
sliding tube, or MLG shock absorber having
a sliding tube installed, if the sliding tube has
a S/N identified in the service information,
unless the sliding tube has been inspected,
and any applicable corrective actions have
been done, in accordance with paragraph
(g)(2)(i), (h), or (i) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(m)(1) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
Related Information
(n) French airworthiness directive F–2005–
115, dated July 6, 2005, also addresses the
subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 31,
2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6–9062 Filed 6–9–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2006–24990; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–013–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model
A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with PROPOSALS
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and
A321 airplanes. This proposed AD
would require an inspection to
determine if the stiff part of the girt and
girt bar position of the forward left-hand
and right-hand passenger doors is
incorrect, and repair if necessary. This
proposed AD results from cases of girt
bar disengagement from the floor fitting
during deployment tests of slide rafts at
the forward passenger doors. We are
proposing this AD to prevent
VerDate Aug<31>2005
20:57 Jun 09, 2006
Jkt 208001
disengagement of the telescopic girt bar
from the airplane when the door is
opened in emergency situations, which
could result in the inability to open the
passenger door and to use the escape
slide/raft at that door during an
emergency evacuation of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by July 12, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France,
for service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2125;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant
written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed in the
ADDRESSES section. Include the docket
number ‘‘FAA–2006–24990; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–013–AD’’ at the
beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of
the proposed AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date
and may amend the proposed AD in
light of those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Using the search function of that Web
site, anyone can find and read the
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
33661
comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you may visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The Docket
Management Facility office (telephone
(800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza
level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the Docket
Management System receives them.
Discussion
´ ´
The Direction Generale de l’Aviation
Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France,
notified us that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Airbus Model A319,
A320, and A321 airplanes. The DGAC
advises that, during deployment tests of
slide rafts at the forward passenger
doors, cases of girt bar disengagement
from the floor fitting were reported.
Investigations have demonstrated that
the girt bar disengagements were due to
incorrect position of the stiff part of the
girt bar during installation of the slide
raft on airplanes. This may cause
inboard-directed loads on the girt bar,
preventing a correct engagement in the
floor fittings. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in disengagement
of the telescopic girt bar from the
airplane when the door is opened in
emergency situations, which could
result in the inability to open the
passenger door and to use the escape
slide/raft at that door during an
emergency evacuation of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin
A320–25–1394, Revision 01, dated
December 12, 2005. The service bulletin
describes procedures for a general visual
inspection to determine whether the
stiff part of the girt and girt bar position
of the forward left-hand and right-hand
passenger doors is incorrect, and repair
if necessary. Accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the
unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated
the service information and issued
French airworthiness directive F–2005–
E:\FR\FM\12JNP1.SGM
12JNP1
33662
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 112 / Monday, June 12, 2006 / Proposed Rules
172 on December 21, 2005, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in France.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are
manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United
States under the provisions of section
21.29 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness
agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral
airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has
kept the FAA informed of the situation
described above. We have examined the
DGAC’s findings, evaluated all pertinent
information, and determined that we
need to issue an AD for airplanes of this
type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the
actions specified in the service
information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about
719 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
proposed actions would take about 1
work hour per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based
on these figures, the estimated cost of
the proposed AD for U.S. operators is
$57,520, or $80 per airplane.
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with PROPOSALS
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
Section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under
the authority described in Subtitle VII,
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701,
‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that
section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
air commerce by prescribing regulations
for practices, methods, and procedures
the Administrator finds necessary for
safety in air commerce. This regulation
is within the scope of that authority
because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on
products identified in this rulemaking
action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this
proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the
States, on the relationship between the
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20:57 Jun 09, 2006
Jkt 208001
national Government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that the proposed regulation:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD and placed it in the
AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section
for a location to examine the regulatory
evaluation.
deployment tests of slide rafts at the forward
passenger doors. We are issuing this AD to
prevent disengagement of the telescopic girt
bar from the airplane when the door is
opened in emergency situations, which could
result in the inability to open the passenger
door and to use the escape slide/raft at that
door during an emergency evacuation of the
airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection and Repair
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by July 12, 2006.
(f) Within 200 days after the effective date
of this AD, do a general visual inspection to
determine if the stiff part of the girt and girt
bar position of the forward left-hand and
right-hand passenger doors is incorrect, in
accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320–
25–1394, Revision 01, dated December 12,
2005. If the stiff part of the girt or the girt bar
position is incorrect, before further flight,
repair in accordance with the service
bulletin.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a
general visual inspection is: ‘‘A visual
examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation, or assembly to detect obvious
damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of
inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror
may be necessary to ensure visual access to
all surfaces in the inspection area. This level
of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as
daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or
droplight and may require removal or
opening of access panels or doors. Stands,
ladders, or platforms may be required to gain
proximity to the area being checked.’’
(g) Inspecting and repairing if necessary
before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin
A320–25–1394, dated July 23, 2004, is
acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319,
A320, and A321 airplanes, certificated in any
category; on which Airbus Modification
20233, 25902, or 24365 (installation of slide
raft) has been done in production; excluding
those airplanes having manufacturer’s serial
numbers 1794, 2155, 2195, 2204, 2231, 2239,
2244, 2246, 2247, 2252, 2254, 2255, 2257,
2259, 2261, 2263, 2267, 2273, 2274, 2275,
2278, 2280, 2282, 2284, 2286, 2288, 2297,
2301, 2307, 2310, 2314, 2327, 2369, and
subsequent.
(h)(1) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from cases of girt bar
disengagement from the floor fitting during
(i) French airworthiness directive F–2005–
172, issued December 21, 2005, also
addresses the subject of this AD.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2006–24990;
Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–013–AD.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
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Related Information
E:\FR\FM\12JNP1.SGM
12JNP1
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 112 / Monday, June 12, 2006 / Proposed Rules
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 31,
2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6–9061 Filed 6–9–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2006–24999; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–060–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell
Douglas Model DC–10–10 and DC–10–
10F Airplanes; and Model MD–10–10F
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with PROPOSALS
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC–
10–10 and DC–10–10F airplanes; and
Model MD–10–10F airplanes. This
proposed AD would require replacing
the clamp bases for the fuel vent pipe
with improved clamp bases. This
proposed AD results from reports that
the foil wrapping on existing plastic
clamp bases has migrated out of
position, which compromises the
bonding of the fuel vent pipes to the
airplane structure. We are proposing
this AD to ensure that the fuel vent
pipes are properly bonded to the
airplane structure. Improper bonding
could prevent electrical energy from a
lightning strike from dissipating to the
airplane structure, and create an
ignition source, which could result in a
fuel tank explosion.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by July 27, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
20:57 Jun 09, 2006
Jkt 208001
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach,
California 90846, Attention: Data and
Service Management, Dept. C1–L5A
(D800–0024), for the service information
identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Serj
Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM–140L, FAA,
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California 90712–4137;
telephone (562) 627–5254; fax (562)
627–5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant
written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed in the
ADDRESSES section. Include the docket
number ‘‘FAA–2006–24999; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–060–AD’’ at the
beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of
the proposed AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date
and may amend the proposed AD in
light of those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Using the search function of that Web
site, anyone can find and read the
comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you may visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The Docket
Management Facility office (telephone
(800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
33663
level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the Docket
Management System receives them.
Discussion
The FAA has examined the
underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large
transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the
service history of airplanes subject to
those regulations, and existing
maintenance practices for fuel tank
systems. As a result of those findings,
we issued a regulation titled ‘‘Transport
Airplane Fuel Tank System Design
Review, Flammability Reduction and
Maintenance and Inspection
Requirements’’ (67 FR 23086, May 7,
2001). In addition to new airworthiness
standards for transport airplanes and
new maintenance requirements, this
rule included Special Federal Aviation
Regulation No. 88 (‘‘SFAR 88,’’
Amendment 21–78, and subsequent
Amendments 21–82 and 21–83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88
requires certain type design (i.e., type
certificate (TC) and supplemental type
certificate (STC)) holders to substantiate
that their fuel tank systems can prevent
ignition sources in the fuel tanks. This
requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered
transport airplanes and for subsequent
modifications to those airplanes. It
requires them to perform design reviews
and to develop design changes and
maintenance procedures if their designs
do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble
to the rule, we intended to adopt
airworthiness directives to mandate any
changes found necessary to address
unsafe conditions identified as a result
of these reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we
have established four criteria intended
to define the unsafe conditions
associated with fuel tank systems that
require corrective actions. The
percentage of operating time during
which fuel tanks are exposed to
flammable conditions is one of these
criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation:
single failures, single failures in
combination with a latent condition(s),
and in-service failure experience. For all
four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken
that may mitigate the need for further
action.
We have determined that the actions
identified in this AD are necessary to
reduce the potential of ignition sources
inside fuel tanks, which, in combination
E:\FR\FM\12JNP1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 112 (Monday, June 12, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33661-33663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9061]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24990; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-013-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This proposed
AD would require an inspection to determine if the stiff part of the
girt and girt bar position of the forward left-hand and right-hand
passenger doors is incorrect, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD
results from cases of girt bar disengagement from the floor fitting
during deployment tests of slide rafts at the forward passenger doors.
We are proposing this AD to prevent disengagement of the telescopic
girt bar from the airplane when the door is opened in emergency
situations, which could result in the inability to open the passenger
door and to use the escape slide/raft at that door during an emergency
evacuation of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 12, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
24990; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-013-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during deployment tests of slide
rafts at the forward passenger doors, cases of girt bar disengagement
from the floor fitting were reported. Investigations have demonstrated
that the girt bar disengagements were due to incorrect position of the
stiff part of the girt bar during installation of the slide raft on
airplanes. This may cause inboard-directed loads on the girt bar,
preventing a correct engagement in the floor fittings. This condition,
if not corrected, could result in disengagement of the telescopic girt
bar from the airplane when the door is opened in emergency situations,
which could result in the inability to open the passenger door and to
use the escape slide/raft at that door during an emergency evacuation
of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1394, Revision 01, dated
December 12, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for a
general visual inspection to determine whether the stiff part of the
girt and girt bar position of the forward left-hand and right-hand
passenger doors is incorrect, and repair if necessary. Accomplishing
the actions specified in the service information is intended to
adequately address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated the service
information and issued French airworthiness directive F-2005-
[[Page 33662]]
172 on December 21, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in France.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 719 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $57,520, or $80
per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2006-24990; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
013-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 12,
2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
airplanes, certificated in any category; on which Airbus
Modification 20233, 25902, or 24365 (installation of slide raft) has
been done in production; excluding those airplanes having
manufacturer's serial numbers 1794, 2155, 2195, 2204, 2231, 2239,
2244, 2246, 2247, 2252, 2254, 2255, 2257, 2259, 2261, 2263, 2267,
2273, 2274, 2275, 2278, 2280, 2282, 2284, 2286, 2288, 2297, 2301,
2307, 2310, 2314, 2327, 2369, and subsequent.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from cases of girt bar disengagement from
the floor fitting during deployment tests of slide rafts at the
forward passenger doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent
disengagement of the telescopic girt bar from the airplane when the
door is opened in emergency situations, which could result in the
inability to open the passenger door and to use the escape slide/
raft at that door during an emergency evacuation of the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection and Repair
(f) Within 200 days after the effective date of this AD, do a
general visual inspection to determine if the stiff part of the girt
and girt bar position of the forward left-hand and right-hand
passenger doors is incorrect, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1394, Revision 01,
dated December 12, 2005. If the stiff part of the girt or the girt
bar position is incorrect, before further flight, repair in
accordance with the service bulletin.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain
proximity to the area being checked.''
(g) Inspecting and repairing if necessary before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1394, dated July 23, 2004, is acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(i) French airworthiness directive F-2005-172, issued December
21, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
[[Page 33663]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 31, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-9061 Filed 6-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
